Master of Science in Psychology

Description and Outcomes

The Master of Science in Psychology program provides you with a unique opportunity to balance the rich tradition of the past with exciting contemporary applications of psychology. The curriculum focuses on the processes that underlie the individual human experience and behavior, and core knowledge, theories, and research in the discipline.

Concentrations

You will select one of four areas of concentration: general psychology, addictions, applied behavior analysis, or industrial/organizational psychology. You will complete both master's-level core courses and concentration courses, which provide a comprehensive education in psychological theory and practice, and work on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills to assist you in meeting your personal and professional goals in the chosen concentration area.

The general psychology concentration is designed to expose you to a generalist approach to the broad field of psychology. This concentration addresses current broad paradigms such as behavioral approaches, neuropsychological perspectives and technologies, issues in psychopathology, and current and historical information in the area of cognitive psychology. In addition, you will gain knowledge in the use of qualitative analysis, thereby building on your knowledge base of the basic "tools" involved in the scientific approach to understanding psychology.

The addictions concentration provides you with the opportunity to study the principles of addictions counseling, group counseling, psychopharmacology, and co-occurring disorders. Theories are taught with an emphasis on application so that you understand how to use your knowledge to help clients toward recovery.

The applied behavior analysis concentration provides an opportunity to gain knowledge of special populations such as the developmentally disabled, the autistic, and individuals with traumatic brain injury. Courses in this concentration emphasize an understanding and application of the behavioral concepts and theories, as well as the development of both assessment and intervention skills.

The industrial/organizational psychology concentration is designed for working professionals who seek to broaden their knowledge and apply the principles of industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology in business and organizational settings. The program offers a rigorous exploration of the theories, methods, and practice of industrial/organizational psychology. Specifically, you will explore workplace motivation and attitudes, employee training, evaluation and leadership, organizational behavior, and human resource management.

Tracks of Study

In any of the concentrations, you may elect to complete a thesis as the program's culminating experience or choose the comprehensive exam option. The thesis track contains two thesis development courses and extends the program by at least one term. A thesis is not required; however, you should consult with an Education Advisor to determine how the thesis option fits with your career goals.

Program Length

The Master of Science in Psychology program consists of a minimum of 60, 65, 70, or 75 quarter credit hours, depending on your track of study. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a master of science degree.

Program Outcomes

Disciplinary Knowledge and Skills: Understand how contemporary theories relate to real-world situations in various psychology professions in the selected area of concentration.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Critically evaluate and apply psychological theories, as well as theories from the selected area of concentration, and concepts to various client-based situations within the field of psychology.

Research and Application:Apply theoretical and conceptual foundations of psychology as they relate to the selected area of concentration to arrive at evidence-based professional practice strategies.

Professionalism and Ethics: Apply ethical, legal, individual, and sociocultural standards and guidelines set forth within the selected area of concentration and field of psychology.

Professional Competencies

In addition to the discipline-specific outcomes, professional competencies are integrated throughout your academic program. You can review the professional competencies associated with your academic program in the graduate School of General Education section of this Catalog.

Program Availability

Policies

Policy information specific to the Master of Science in Psychology program is noted below.

Admissions Requirements

You must meet the below admissions requirements in addition to Kaplan University's general requirements.

If applying for admission, you must submit the following:

An essay that details career goals and associated reasons for enrolling in the program.

An unofficial transcript, submitted prior to enrollment, indicating receipt of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. By the end of the first term, you must provide the University with an official copy of the transcript. The unofficial and official transcripts must indicate a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above from all previous coursework. Refer to the First-Term Responsibilities section for additional information.

Accelerated Master of Science in Psychology Option

Students enrolled in one of the following programs have the option of completing the accelerated Master of Science in Psychology option while they earn their bachelor’s degree:

Bachelor of Science in Communication

Bachelor of Science in Corrections

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Administration

Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Policy and Management

Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Management

Bachelor of Science in Fire Science

Bachelor of Science in Human Services

Bachelor of Science in Human Services in Youth/Family Services and Administration

Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies

Bachelor of Science in Legal Support and Services

Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Addictions

Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis

Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

If you are a graduate of one of the above-listed programs, are granted admission to the Master of Science in Psychology program, and meet the requirements for the accelerated option, you will have the following courses transferred in and will matriculate into a shortened version of the master's degree program:

Prior to enrolling in the Master of Science in Psychology program with an applied behavior analysis, addictions, or industrial/organizational psychology concentration requiring a practicum or field placement rotation, you must provide notice of intent to enroll in practicum/field placement courses 3 months prior to the beginning of the term in which you wish to enroll. Notification must be submitted to the Behavioral and Social Sciences Clinical Placement Department using the appropriate application form. Applications that are not complete will not be accepted.

Progression Requirements

The grade of "C" is the minimum acceptable grade for courses in the Master of Science in Psychology program. If you earn a grade of "F" in a course, you must immediately retake the course. You may only take a course twice and must earn the required grade of "C" or higher. Failure to earn the required grade will result in dismissal from Kaplan University after the second attempt.

You must complete these courses at the University. If you are a graduate of the University's Bachelor of Science in Psychology program, you may substitute transfer credit to replace PS501 Foundations of Professional Psychology.

You must declare your choice of thesis or comprehensive exam track by the end of the second term.

Comprehensive Exam Track

You must successfully complete PS600 Comprehensive Exam, a written course covering the core curriculum and concentration courses. You will have the opportunity to take the comprehensive examination course one time after successful completion of all academic program requirements.

The comprehensive examination course consists of three questions and shall be evaluated by three terminally degreed psychology instructors. A passing score must be earned from two out of three faculty members on all three questions. Should you not earn a passing score on any part of the three papers, you will receive grading feedback and be allowed to revise and resubmit the paper(s) one time during the term. If you fail any of the three revised papers, you will fail the comprehensive examination course and you will be academically dismissed from the program. If you experience extenuating circumstances, you may appeal to the Dean (or designee) to retake the course. Students who are approved to retake the comprehensive examination will only be allowed to retake the course one time.

Thesis Track

You will be required to develop and submit, in writing, a formal proposal for research in psychology to your chosen thesis committee, which is made up of a chairperson and two additional members, all of whom must be terminally degreed psychology faculty members from Kaplan University. It is acceptable to have one terminally degreed faculty member from outside the University's psychology program or from an outside, regionally accredited institution of higher learning with the approval of the Chair of the Master of Science in Psychology program.

Subsequent to the proposal, you will submit the final draft of your research project to the thesis committee for review and orally present your results during a scheduled thesis defense hearing. The research report shall be prepared according to the University's guidelines and the final, approved product shall be submitted to appropriate personnel for binding and acquisition.

You will take PS601 Master's Research and Thesis I and PS602 Master's Research and Thesis II, 10-week courses designed to allow you to begin the first steps of your thesis design and complete your thesis. Should you feel you are unable to complete the prescribed requirements for either course in 10 weeks, you must contact your Education Advisor in order to gain an extension in the course. An extension is granted by enrolling in PS601A Master's Research and Thesis I or PS602A Master's Research and Thesis II, and enrollment in these courses will only be granted at the discretion of the Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Chair of your thesis committee.

If an extension is granted, the University will not charge tuition for PS601A Master's Research and Thesis I or PS602A Master's Research and Thesis II, but you will be required to pay the normal technology fee.

If you are unable to complete PS601 Master's Research and Thesis I or PS602 Master's Research and Thesis II, you will be permitted to enter the comprehensive exam track.

Practicum or Field Placement Requirements

If you are enrolling in a program that requires completion of a practicum or field placement, you are responsible for locating a site in which to complete those hours. You are also required to complete a practicum or field placement orientation. You must complete all prepracticum or prefield placement requirements and have permission of the Clinical Placement Team in order to enroll in a course that includes completion of practicum or field placement hours. A list of requirements is available from the Clinical Placement Team.

Addictions Concentration

If you are enrolled in the addictions concentration, you will take PS535 Addictions Practicum I and PS536 Addictions Practicum II. If you feel that you may not be able to complete the PS535 Addictions Practicum I prescribed requirements in 10 weeks, you must contact the Clinical Placement Team in order to receive an extension in the course. If an extension is granted, you will enroll in PS559 Practicum Field Placement Extension which will allow you 10 extra weeks to complete the requirements of PS535 Addictions Practicum I. Enrollment in this course will only be granted at the discretion of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

If you feel that you may not be able to complete the PS536 Addictions Practicum II prescribed requirements in 10 weeks, you must contact the Clinical Placement Team in order to gain an extension in the course. If an extension is granted, you will enroll in PS559 Practicum Field Placement Extension, which will allow you 10 extra weeks to complete the requirements of PS536 Addictions Practicum II. Enrollment in this course will only be granted at the discretion of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration

If you feel that you may not be able to complete the PS555 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum prescribed requirements in 10 weeks, you must contact the Clinical Placement Team in order to gain an extension in the course. If an extension is granted, you will enroll in PS559 Practicum Field Placement Extension which will allow you 10 extra weeks to complete the requirements of PS555 Applied Behavior Analysis Practicum. Enrollment in this course will only be granted at the discretion of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology Concentration

If you feel that you may not be able to complete the PS545 Industrial/Organizational Field Placement prescribed requirements in 10 weeks, you must contact the Clinical Placement Team in order to gain an extension in the course. If an extension is granted, you will enroll in PS559 Practicum Field Placement Extension, which will allow you 10 extra weeks to complete the requirements of PS545 Industrial/Organizational Field Placement. Enrollment in this course will only be granted at the discretion of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of certification, state board, or national board licensing exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various certification and licensing exams, Kaplan University cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, meeting other licensure or certification requirements, or the program or the University itself having appropriate accreditation or licensure.

The professional practice of psychology is regulated by each state, and the degree requirements in Kaplan University's Master of Science in Psychology program do not guarantee or prepare you for state licensure upon graduation.

Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board®, Inc., (BACB®) has verified the Kaplan University course sequence as meeting the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® Examination.

The NAADAC (Association for Addiction Professionals) has designated Kaplan University as an Approved Education Provider for meeting nationally approved standards of education for the alcoholism and drug abuse counseling field. Students who complete the Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in addictions program will meet the coursework requirements to take the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals’ Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) certification examination.

Note that additional requirements must also be completed to take the MAC examination, including degree, field experience, and licensure requirements. Refer to http://www.naadac.org/ncc-ap for full eligibility requirements.